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31 May 2025
GS Paper 1
History
Day 3: How did the Praja Mandals in Rajasthan help in fostering national consciousness and gaining public support during the Indian freedom movement? (100 words)
Approach:
- Briefly introduce the context of Praja Mandals and their emergence in Rajasthan.
- Discuss contributions like raising awareness, mobilizing support, advocating for civil rights, and aligning with Congress.
- Conclude suitably.
Introduction:
The Praja Mandals were significant political organizations in Rajasthan that contributed to the national freedom struggle. They emerged in the early 20th century in the princely states, where the people faced oppressive rule by feudal monarchs. Praja Mandals played a crucial role in raising awareness, mobilizing support, and uniting the masses in the fight for freedom.
Body:
- Awakening Political Awareness: Praja Mandals raised political consciousness among the people, particularly in the princely states, about their rights.
- They made the masses aware of the exploitative nature of princely rule and the need for political reforms.
- Mobilizing Public Support: Praja Mandals organized mass protests, meetings, and campaigns to involve the common people in the national movement.
- This helped rally support for the broader freedom struggle against British rule.
- Demand for Civil Liberties: They advocated for civil rights, responsible governance, and democratic reforms in the states.
- Leaders like Pandit Harinaryan Sharma worked against caste practices through organizations like the Untouchability Prevention Association.
- Association with Congress: Praja Mandals collaborated with the Indian National Congress and Gandhi’s methods.
- For example, Bharatpur Praja Mandal launched a satyagraha against the state government, aligning with Congress’s ideology of non-violent resistance.
- Opposition to British and Feudal Rule: Praja Mandals opposed both British colonialism and the autocratic rule of the princely states.
- Most of them joined the Quit India Movement, exemplifying their commitment to national independence.
Conclusion:
The Praja Mandals were crucial in the freedom struggle, promoting national awareness, civil rights, and public support. They played a key role in merging princely states into the Indian Union.
